Fallen Crest High(78)

His son knows. That spells trouble for a lot of people."

I shrugged. "Adam's known for a long time."

He stopped pacing. "Really?"

I nodded.

"Well, I guess that's a little better then."

"So can I still come for that dinner tonight? I know families are supposed to come."

He eyed me warily. "Does your mom know about this?"

I shrugged. "Like I care and yes, she does. She said I could go."

He opened his mouth.

I added, "And she said that in front of Mason and Logan Kade so she has to follow through with it."

His mouth closed, but I caught a flare of pride in his eyes. My chest swelled up and I looked away when a sudden burst of tears came to my eyes. I wiped them away quickly and glanced back. He'd been watching me with a sad smile.

It vanished immediately.

"Are you okay?"

I was jolted at the sincerity of his voice. "What do you mean?"

"With all this, the changes, the truth coming out. Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you're a teenager." He said it so simply. "Because your mother can be one vicious and selfish woman. Because you got your life taken away from you." His voice gentled even more. "Remember that I know about Jeff and your friends. I know what they did to you. And because," his mouth twisted in a crooked smile, "you set my car on fire, remember?"

"Oh yeah!" I burst out in laughter and wiped more tears away. I didn't know why they were coming.

He took a small breath. "Are you okay, Samantha? Are you still running?"

I nodded.

"How long do you go for?"

I couldn't talk. My throat was so tight, it was blocked.

He sounded sad. "That long, huh?" And he took another deep breath. "I'm sorry, Sam. I really am."

I looked away. I couldn't see how haunted he sounded. Something would've broken inside of me and I was holding on tight. I was holding on so tight right now.

He continued, "If I had known what your mother wanted or what she needed, I would've tried to adopt you. I would've gone for something with the courts so that she couldn't have taken you away. I had no idea. I really didn't, but there was no way I could've been the man she wanted. I was the man she used to get her through her hard times."

"I'm sorry." My voice cracked. More tears flooded me. "I'm sorry for what she did to you."

He shook his head. "I can handle it. I have a good job. I'm still somewhat young and in shape. I'll be fine."

I took a deep breath.

"Are you going to be fine?"

I shook my head. I couldn't answer him, not then.

"I hear the gossip, you know. I heard the Kade brothers have taken you under their wing." He frowned. "I'm not sure if that's a good thing. Those boys can be cruel, but they do seem to back each other up. Are you okay with them?"

"They help…with her…"

Enough said. He nodded in understanding. "Well, I suppose I'll see you tonight then. Six o'clock. Back here."

"Okay."

He gave a small wave before he went back inside. I turned to my car, but Adam called my name and I paused and looked back. He grimaced as he approached. "Sorry about my dad and that woman."

I chuckled. "I thought I would've been the one apologizing to you."

"Nah. I liked it. You're tough."